Colleagues,

When Doug Henton and I founded what came to be known as The Alliance for Regional Stewardship, we envisioned nothing less than a sea change in the way regions are governed.  Governed as in the Latin ?gubernare? to direct, to steer, to guide.  A new method of governance, not more government!

As a former California Senator, I had become convinced that the geographic and political boundaries that were established two centuries ago were no longer relevant to the living, working and leisure patterns of the 21^st Century.  Regional leaders need to find ways to cross current economic, social, environmental and governmental boundaries to bring together multi-sector representatives to establish regions that have commonality of interests, agreed upon problems to be resolved and the ability to get results.  These are the ?boundary crossers? as described by John W. Gardner.  

Notwithstanding the terms leaders and boundary crossers, at the first meeting of interested parties in Kohler, Wisconsin in May, 2000 we chose to call our new organization the Alliance for Regional Stewardship because of our desire to be inclusive and to undertake, as one dictionary defines the term, ?careful and responsible management of that entrusted to one?s care?.  With John Gardner?s encouragement and counsel, we wanted to promote a renewed commitment to improving our regions.  Not regionalism for its own sake but with a purpose engaging people from all sectors, finding solutions, getting results that improve the conditions within any given region.

The stewardship of everyone reading this newsletter, and all your recruits, can create a national movement, a sea change, in how to work together for the betterment of your community, your region and our nation.  We?ve made great progress in the past five years in over 125 regions and I thank you for all your work within and beyond the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.

Now is the time to become even stronger.